The Bangkok Breakdown's podcast

Season 2, Episode 16: In this episode, Shaikh and the rest of the world can sleep happy now that Emin (@mrhajiyev) did not join a cult. He went to the middle of the jungle for some ayahuasca reflection. Shaikh interviews Emin about this experience and how he prepared for and decided to take this trip. The ultimate disappointment was delivered because Emin and his jungle company did not defecate in their pants. 

Season 2. Episode 15- Dream Job: In this episode, Shaikh’s passion for publishing was something he’d fallen into and a blessed coincidence. He speaks about how journalism allowed him to meet new people and promoted emotional growth. In the meantime, Emin (@mrhajiyev) regrets not taking that one chance to be a pilot. His many career paths have led him to a retreat, which Shaikh believes is a secret cult and all of our fingers crossed that Emin makes it out with his brain intact next week.

Season 2. Episode 14. In this episode, Emin (@mrhajiyev) is all work and no play this week, so it inspires a conversation about jobs. Emin and Shaikh both started working as teenagers. Emin has done every job under the sun while Shaikh started the work-life by explaining that rainbow and chocolate sprinkles are ONLY different in color. They begin to get into how work was more about independence and a means of paying for school.

Season 2. Episode 13: In this episode, Emin (@mrhajiyev) considers if crystals, chakras, and meditation might be the way as healing techniques have spread with an almost parallel zeal to the pandemic. Shaikh believes that this is because technology provides us with quick and vast numbers of solutions, so we grasp new methods before the old one can be rejected. Nonetheless, Shaikh believes in materialistic therapy and makes no qualms about Yeezys over yoga.

Season 2.Episode 12: In this episode, Emin (@mrhajiyev) reflects on the recent tragedies in Azerbaijan and how it reignited that sense of national pride in him. He recalls looking for a home when he moved half a world away from it. Shaikh expresses his understanding of always being the ‘other’ and how it’s shaped his identity after being ostracized for a long time. Their conversation continues with how they have somewhat different ways of dealing with the immigrant experience.

Season 2. Episode 11. In this episode, Emin (@mrhajiyev) feels enlightened and decides to talk about superstition and how it has impacted mankind’s every day across the globe. He explains the power of these beliefs are deep-rooted in societies leaving Shaikh in mental isolation. Shaikh’s concept of human energy is broken down into protons, electrons, and neutrons. Surprisingly, Emin’s observations lead Shaikh to a self-realization epiphany. 

Season 2. Episode 10: In this Episode with the looming possibility of quarantining in a hotel, Shaikh confronts his fear of hotels which is his underlying issue with traveling. Emin (@mrhajiyev) plays a counselor this week and tries to diagnose Shaikh’s obsession with cleaners. It only motivates the cleaning addict to further plan and talk about Clorox wipes like they are semi-precious stones. They come to the conclusion that accepting your OCD is just easier and lazier than trying to find a solution.

Season 2. Episode 9. In this episode, Shaikh expresses his love for cleaning products on sale, buying them in bulk, and using them to reduce stress- basically trying to package his OCD. Emin (@mrhajiyev) asks if he has other forms of OCD like avoiding stepping on the cracks of sidewalk tiles, and brings Google search ‘OCD jokes’ wisdom to the table. Emin analyzes relationship OCD, which Shaikh diagnoses as a psychological explanation for daddy issues.

Season 2. Episode 8. Security Blanket: Where Emin (@mrhajiyev) points out that Shaikh speaks about his blanket like he’s having a private pillow talk session. The conversation about household staples continues with everything else the boys would need in their houses. Shaikh tried to convince Emin that an air fryer is not the way to settle. He discovers that Emin is a house nomad who thinks of house hopping like bar hopping- never get too cozy!

Season 2. Episode 7. Pots and Pan
Shaikh’s is touched by a customer service worker who went the extra mile to show him there was a pot on discount. Emin (@mrhajiyev) is surprised by Shaikh’s love of being a hermit crab as Shaikh declares his favorite four B’s- book, binge, blanket, and Bailey’s. The discussion of dwellings continues with their home staples. Shaikh and Emin recall the childhood house rules and customs that have followed them into adulthood and some of the weird rituals and relics (pots) their moms refuse to let go of.